Monster Hunter Wilds may not be out until next year, but Capcom just gave the hype a little boost with the release of three new videos detailing some of the mechanical additions and improvements players can expect when this latest entry in the series launches in 2025.
Video number one, titled “Basic Mechanics Overview,” goes through some of the most basic aspects of Monster Hunter gameplay before introducing Wild's new bird-like dino mount, Seikret. This (unfortunately) replaces Monster Hunter Rise's awesome dog-like Canyne and offers a new way to zip around.
The Seikret can automatically guide hunters directly to their target if desired, and players can collect items from the environment, drink potions to restore health, sharpen their blade, or switch between primary and secondary weapons while in the saddle to be ready for battle. The returning Slinger has also been slightly improved in Monster Hunter Wilds. In addition to firing various ammo types found around the map, it can also collect items from a distance and rip loose terrain pieces (such as rocks) onto monsters' heads.
Monster Hunter Wilds: Overview of the basic game mechanics
Capcom's second video focuses on the classic great sword – a heavy blade with slower movements that packs a tremendous punch. More notable, however, is the mention of Wilds' new Focus Mode, which is covered in more detail in the third video.
Focus Mode allows hunters to position their guards more precisely and aim their attacks more accurately to target a monster's wounds and weak spots – which are now explicitly highlighted with a bright red effect when Focus Mode is active. Hitting wounds or weak spots while in Focus Mode deals additional damage, which Capcom calls “Focus Strikes.”
Monster Hunter Wilds: Focus Mode Overview
And that's pretty much it for now. Hopefully Capcom will have more to reveal during this year's Gamescom (it would be nice to see something other than Monster Hunter Wilds' desert map, for example), and maybe it won't be long before we get a more specific indication of when it will be released for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam next year.